In the run up to the 2017 election, we asked our readers and listeners what issues matter most to them. Every day, we ask candidates for their thoughts on healthcare, growth, traffic, city facilities, downtown, and the other issues important to their campaign. Today, Marie Lauer addresses your issues.

Marie Lauer hopes that next week, she will become the next mayor of Airdrie.

Lauer said a major priority for her campaign is public engagement. She would like to see the City of Airdrie adopt a public engagement policy so that residents of the community can have a say in setting priorities.

"Being outcome based is very important, so I think it's important that we have process in place that if you phone to complain about your back alley or whatever it is, that that is documented and that it starts a work order and you get a response."

Lauer said her view on the need for more public engagement stems from experiences with the City where her concerns were not adequately addressed.

Speaking on Airdrie's rapid growth, Lauer said there are many opportunities and challenges that accompany a rapid increase in population. Lauer expressed that managing that growth is complex.

"I think the best way to do it is to ensure that we are strategic and long-term in our thinking and our planning, and that we try to consider some of the problems that are going to arise and try to nip them in the bud before they become big issues."

When addressing those needs, Lauer said it will be important for City Council to work with City administration and with residents to focus on priorities. She also thinks it will require fiscally sustainable frameworks.

Lauer highlighted traffic as one of the challenges associated with rapid growth. She does not believe changing the current framework of roads is the answer. Rather, Lauer believes there are some small wins the community can accomplish, like syncing traffic lights and extending the duration of left hand turn lanes. She also mentioned another way to decrease congestion. 

"Another great alternative to traffic congestion is getting people out of cars. How do we get people out of cars? Transit. How do we get people out of cars? Bike paths."

Lauer said the City will need to make a significant investment into transit if they want to see people use it. She likened it to a chicken and egg scenario, and said services need to be top-notch if residents are actually to use them. Lauer also indicated that part of her role as mayor would be to advocate the Provincial government for additional road projects.

Another challenge associated with growth is the need for more recreational spaces. Lauer believes Airdrie is long overdue for another recreational centre, and said she has not met with a single group or organization that does not have some sort of need for more space. In addressing those needs, Lauer goes back to a public engagement policy, saying consultation with residents should set the priority for what gets built.

Lauer also thinks additional rec spaces could help with some of Airdrie's healthcare needs. She said recreation space gives people a proactive way to protect their health and prevent disease. While discussing healthcare, Lauer pointed to her time on the Prairie Mountain Health Advisory Committee and on the board of the Highland Primary Care Network to show her commitment to addressing health needs. Lauer said her role as mayor would be to advocate the Province for more health resources, while also doing all she can to promote the health resources already available in Airdrie.

On downtown, Lauer shared her feelings on the Airdrie Main Street Square (AMSQ) project. When the plan was rolled out, she was excited about the prospect of a vibrant downtown, but also confused about how she had missed the details of the plan while staying engaged in the community. She points to that episode as a further indication of the need for more public engagement. Lauer was careful to say that while she is in favour of downtown redevelopment, she is not necessarily in support of the AMSQ plan. She does still like the idea of having a square downtown, where people can congregate and events can be held. She's also cognizant that redeveloping downtown will be a long process, requiring a plan to follow up on long-term. Even so, she thinks that redeveloping downtown is a great way to make Airdrie more vibrant and welcoming.

 

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